Providing Media for Playback

ABSTRACT

Embodiments are disclosed for providing play/pause content. An example method includes receiving a command to play audio from a zone, the zone including one or more playback devices, wherein the zone is configured to play items from a playback queue responsive to the command to play audio. The example method also includes determining that the playback queue includes no playable items. The example method also includes automatically placing information identifying at least one playable item in the playback queue. The example method also includes, responsive to the command to play audio, causing to play the at least one playable item by the zone.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/141,846 filed Sep. 25, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/016,259 filed Feb. 4, 2016, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/937,890 filed Jul. 9, 2013,all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure is related to consumer goods and, more particularly, tomethods, systems, products, features, services, and other items directedto media playback or some aspect thereof.

BACKGROUND

Digital music has become readily available due in part to thedevelopment of consumer level technology that has allowed people tolisten to digital music on a personal audio device. The consumer'sincreasing preference for digital audio has also resulted in theintegration of personal audio devices into PDAs, cellular phones, andother mobile devices. The portability of these mobile devices hasenabled people to take the music listening experience with them andoutside of the home. People have become able to consume digital music,like digital music files or even Internet radio, in the home through theuse of their computer or similar devices. Now there are many differentways to consume digital music, in addition to other digital contentincluding digital video and photos, stimulated in many ways byhigh-speed Internet access at home, mobile broadband Internet access,and the consumer's hunger for digital media.

Until recently, options for accessing and listening to digital audio inan out-loud setting were severely limited. In 2005, Sonos offered forsale its first digital audio system that enabled people to, among manyother things, access virtually unlimited sources of audio via one ormore networked connected zone players, dynamically group or ungroup zoneplayers upon command, wirelessly send the audio over a local networkamongst zone players, and play the digital audio out loud in synchrony.The Sonos system can be controlled by software applications downloadedto certain network capable, mobile devices and computers.

Given the insatiable appetite of consumers towards digital media, therecontinues to be a need to develop consumer technology thatrevolutionizes the way people access and consume digital media.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features, aspects, and advantages of the presently disclosed technologymay be better understood with regard to the following description,appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows an example configuration in which certain embodiments maybe practiced;

FIG. 2A shows an illustration of an example zone player having abuilt-in amplifier and transducers;

FIG. 2B shows an illustration of an example zone player having abuilt-in amplifier and connected to external speakers;

FIG. 2C shows an illustration of an example zone player connected to anA/V receiver and speakers;

FIG. 3 shows an illustration of an example controller;

FIG. 4 shows an internal functional block diagram of an example zoneplayer;

FIG. 5 shows an internal functional block diagram of an examplecontroller;

FIG. 6 shows an example network for media content playback;

FIG. 7 shows an example ad-hoc playback network;

FIG. 8 shows a system including a plurality of networks including acloud-based network and at least one local playback network;

FIG. 9 shows an example user interface according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 shows an illustrative flowchart for an example method fordetermining playback content;

FIG. 11 shows an illustrative flowchart for an example method forselecting alternate content for playback;

In addition, the drawings are for the purpose of illustrating exampleembodiments, but it is understood that the inventions are not limited tothe arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Overview

Embodiments disclosed herein enable content playback control via a userinterface included with a zone player. In some embodiments, the zoneplayer includes a limited user interface. For example, the zone playermay include a control interface including one or more input device(s),button(s), etc. for play/pause control and volume up and volume downcontrol, and an output interface (e.g., one or more light emittingdiode(s)) to output status information. In some embodiments, the zoneplayer responds to user input received via the control interface basedon the current playback mode of the playback device. For example, whenoperating in a content playback mode and the play/pause control isselected, the zone player may pause content playback. In contrast, whenthe play/pause control is selected while the zone player is in a pausedcontent playback mode, then the zone player may attempt to resumecontent playback with the content that was playing previous to enteringthe paused content playback mode. However, in some embodiments, thepreviously played content may be unavailable. Unlike prior systems,embodiments disclosed herein enable the zone player to determineplayback content to be played when a user selects (e.g., presses orotherwise activates) the play/pause control based on the currentplayback mode of the zone player and the availability of playbackcontent.

Other embodiments, as those discussed in the following and others as canbe appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art are alsopossible.

II. Example Operating Environment

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals can refer to likeparts throughout the figures, FIG. 1 shows an example media systemconfiguration 100 in which one or more embodiments disclosed herein canbe practiced or implemented.

By way of illustration, the media system configuration 100 is associatedwith a home having multiple zones, though the home could have beenconfigured with only one zone. Additionally, one or more zones can beadded over time. Each zone may be assigned by a user to a different roomor space, such as, for example, an office, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen,dining room, family room, home theater room, utility or laundry room,and patio. A single zone might also include multiple rooms or spaces ifso configured. With respect to FIG. 1, one or more of zone players102-124 are shown in each respective zone. A zone player 102-124, alsoreferred to herein as a playback device, multimedia unit, speaker,player, and so on, provides audio, video, and/or audiovisual output. Acontroller 130 (e.g., shown in the kitchen for purposes of thisillustration) provides control to the media system configuration 100.Controller 130 may be fixed to a zone, or alternatively, mobile suchthat it can be moved about the zones. The media system configuration 100may also include more than one controller 130, and additionalcontrollers may be added to the system over time.

The media system configuration 100 illustrates an example whole housemedia system, though it is understood that the technology describedherein is not limited to, among other things, its particular place ofapplication or to an expansive system like a whole house media system100 of FIG. 1.

a. Example Zone Players

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show example types of zone players. Zone players200, 202, and 204 of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, respectively, can correspondto any of the zone players 102-124 of FIG. 1, for example. In someembodiments, audio is reproduced using only a single zone player, suchas by a full-range player. In some embodiments, audio is reproducedusing two or more zone players, such as by using a combination offull-range players or a combination of full-range and specializedplayers. In some embodiments, zone players 200-204 may also be referredto as a “smart speaker,” because they contain processing capabilitiesbeyond the reproduction of audio, more of which is described below.

FIG. 2A illustrates zone player 200 that includes sound producingequipment 208 capable of reproducing full-range sound. The sound maycome from an audio signal that is received and processed by zone player200 over a wired or wireless data network. Sound producing equipment 208includes one or more built-in amplifiers and one or more acoustictransducers (e.g., speakers). A built-in amplifier is described morebelow with respect to FIG. 4. A speaker or acoustic transducer caninclude, for example, any of a tweeter, a mid-range driver, a low-rangedriver, and a subwoofer. In some embodiments, zone player 200 can bestatically or dynamically configured to play stereophonic audio,monaural audio, or both. In some embodiments, zone player 200 may bedynamically configured to reproduce a subset of full-range sound, suchas when zone player 200 is grouped with other zone players to playstereophonic audio, monaural audio, and/or surround audio or when theaudio content received by zone player 200 is less than full-range.

FIG. 2B illustrates zone player 202 that includes a built-in amplifierto power a set of detached speakers 210. A detached speaker can include,for example, any type of loudspeaker. Zone player 202 may be configuredto power one, two, or more separate loudspeakers. Zone player 202 may beconfigured to communicate an audio signal (e.g., right and left channelaudio or more channels depending on its configuration) to the detachedspeakers 210 via a wired path. In the illustrated example, the zoneplayer 202 includes a control interface 212. The control interface 212permits a user to enter data and/or commands into the zone player 202.In some embodiments, a user may use the control interface 212 to controloperations of the zone player 202. For example, a user may control theaudio characteristics (e.g., volume) of the zone player 202 and/or theplayback mode (e.g., playback, pause, stop) of the zone player 202.

FIG. 2C illustrates zone player 204 that does not include a built-inamplifier, but is configured to communicate an audio signal, receivedover a data network, to an audio (or “audio/video”) receiver 214 withbuilt-in amplification. In the illustrated example, the zone player 204includes a control interface 216 to enable a user to enter data and/orcommands into the zone player 204.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, one, some, or all of thezone players 102 to 124 can retrieve audio directly from a source. Forexample, a particular zone player in a zone or zone group may beassigned to a playback queue (or “queue”). The playback queue containsinformation corresponding to zero or more audio items for playback bythe associated zone or zone group. In an embodiment, the playback queueincludes information identifying items (e.g., all items) for playback bythe associated zone to the user. According to the embodiment, forexample, the playback queue includes information displayed in a “nowplaying” or similar interface and in a “display queue” or similarinterface. A “now playing” interface, for instance, displays informationidentifying an item that is currently being played by a zone, or an itemthat is currently stopped or paused from playback. A “display queue”interface, for instance, displays information identifying a list of zeroor more items for playback by the zone. In one example, an item can beidentified in both the “now playing” and “display queue” interfaces(e.g., when a song in the display queue is currently playing). Inanother example, the playback queue is empty when the “now playing”interface and the “display queue” interface are empty. In anotherexample, the playback queue is not empty when either the “now playing”interface or the “display queue” interface displays informationidentifying one or more items (e.g., when Internet radio is playing, theitem may show up only in the “now playing” interface). The playbackqueue may be stored in memory on a zone player or some other designateddevice. Each item contained in the playback queue may comprise a uniformresource identifier (URI) or some other identifier that can be used bythe zone player(s) to seek out and/or retrieve the audio items from theidentified audio source(s). Depending on the item, the audio sourcemight be found on the Internet (e.g., the cloud), locally from anotherdevice over the data network 128 (described further below), from thecontroller 130, stored on the zone player itself, or from an audiosource communicating directly to the zone player. In some embodiments,the zone player can reproduce the audio itself (e.g., play the audio),send the audio to another zone player for reproduction, or both wherethe audio is reproduced by the zone player as well as one or moreadditional zone players (possibly in synchrony). In some embodiments,the zone player may play a first audio content (or alternatively, maynot play the content at all), while sending a second, different audiocontent to another zone player(s) for reproduction. To the user, eachitem in a playback queue is represented on an interface of a controllerby an element such as a track name, album name, playlist, or other someother representation. A user can populate the playback queue with audioitems of interest. The user may also modify and clear the playbackqueue, if so desired.

By way of illustration, SONOS, Inc. of Santa Barbara, Calif. presentlyoffers for sale zone players referred to as a “PLAY:5,” “PLAY:3,”“PLAYBAR,” “CONNECT:AMP,” “CONNECT,” and “SUB.” Any other past, present,and/or future zone players can additionally or alternatively be used toimplement the zone players of example embodiments disclosed herein.Additionally, it is understood that a zone player is not limited to theparticular examples illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C or to the SONOSproduct offerings. For example, a zone player may include a wired orwireless headphone. In yet another example, a zone player might includea sound bar for television. In yet another example, a zone player mayinclude or interact with a docking station for an Apple IPOD™ or similardevice.

b. Example Controllers

FIG. 3 illustrates an example wireless controller 300 in docking station302. By way of illustration, controller 300 may correspond tocontrolling device 130 of FIG. 1. Docking station 302, if provided orused, may provide power to the controller 300 and additionally maycharge a battery of controller 300. In some embodiments, controller 300may be provided with a touch screen 304 that allows a user to interactthrough touch with the controller 300, for example, to retrieve andnavigate a playlist of audio items, control operations of one or morezone players, and provide overall control of the system configuration100. In other embodiments, other input mechanisms such as voice controlmay be used to interact with the controller 300. In certain embodiments,any number of controllers can be used to control the systemconfiguration 100. In some embodiments, there may be a limit set on thenumber of controllers that can control the system configuration 100. Thecontrollers might be wireless like wireless controller 300 or wired todata network 128.

In some embodiments, if more than one controller is used in system 100of FIG. 1, each controller may be coordinated to display common content,and may all be dynamically updated to indicate changes made to thesystem 100 from a single controller. Coordination can occur, forinstance, by a controller periodically requesting a state variabledirectly or indirectly from one or more of the zone players; the statevariable may provide information about system 100, such as current zonegroup configuration, what is playing in one or more zones, volumelevels, and other items of interest. The state variable may be passedaround on data network 128 between zone players (and controllers, if sodesired) as needed or as often as programmed.

In addition, an application running on any network-enabled portabledevice, such as an IPHONE™ IPAD™ ANDROID™ powered phone or tablet, orany other smart phone or network-enabled device can be used ascontroller 130. An application running on a laptop or desktop personalcomputer (PC) or Mac™ can also be used as controller 130. Suchcontrollers may connect to system 100 through an interface with datanetwork 128, a zone player, a wireless router, or using some otherconfigured connection path. Example controllers offered by Sonos, Inc.of Santa Barbara, Calif. include a “Controller 200,” “SONOS® CONTROL,”“SONOS® Controller for IPHONE™,” “SONOS® Controller for IPAD™,” “SONOS®Controller for ANDROID™,” “SONOS® Controller for MAC™ or PC.”

c. Example Data Connection

Zone players 102 to 124 of FIG. 1 are coupled directly or indirectly toa data network, such as data network 128. Controller 130 may also becoupled directly or indirectly to data network 128 or individual zoneplayers. Data network 128 is represented by an octagon in the figure tostand out from other representative components. While data network 128is shown in a single location, it is understood that such a network isdistributed in and around system 100. Particularly, data network 128 canbe a wired network, a wireless network, or a combination of both wiredand wireless networks. In some embodiments, one or more of the zoneplayers 102-124 are wirelessly coupled to data network 128 based on aproprietary mesh network. In some embodiments, one or more of the zoneplayers are coupled to data network 128 using a centralized access pointsuch as a wired or wireless router. In some embodiments, one or more ofthe zone players 102-124 are coupled via a wire to data network 128using Ethernet or similar technology. In addition to the one or morezone players 102-124 connecting to data network 128, data network 128can further allow access to a wide area network, such as the Internet.

In some embodiments, connecting any of the zone players 102-124, or someother connecting device, to a broadband router, can create data network128. Other zone players 102-124 can then be added wired or wirelessly tothe data network 128. For example, a zone player (e.g., any of zoneplayers 102-124) can be added to the system configuration 100 by simplypressing a button on the zone player itself (or perform some otheraction), which enables a connection to be made to data network 128. Thebroadband router can be connected to an Internet Service Provider (ISP),for example. The broadband router can be used to form another datanetwork within the system configuration 100, which can be used in otherapplications (e.g., web surfing). Data network 128 can also be used inother applications, if so programmed. An example, second network mayimplement SONOSNET™ protocol, developed by SONOS, Inc. of Santa Barbara.SONOSNET™ represents a secure, AES-encrypted, peer-to-peer wireless meshnetwork. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, the data network 128 isthe same network, such as a traditional wired or wireless network, usedfor other applications in the household.

d. Example Zone Configurations

A particular zone can contain one or more zone players. For example, thefamily room of FIG. 1 contains two zone players 106 and 108, while thekitchen is shown with one zone player 102. In another example, the hometheater room contains additional zone players to play audio from a 5.1channel or greater audio source (e.g., a movie encoded with 5.1 orgreater audio channels). In some embodiments, one can position a zoneplayer in a room or space and assign the zone player to a new orexisting zone via controller 130. As such, zones may be created,combined with another zone, removed, and given a specific name (e.g.,“Kitchen”), if so desired and programmed to do so with controller 130.Moreover, in some embodiments, zone configurations may be dynamicallychanged even after being configured using controller 130 or some othermechanism.

In some embodiments, a “bonded zone” is a zone that contains two or morezone players, such as the two zone players 106 and 108 in the familyroom, whereby the two zone players 106 and 108 can be configured to playthe same audio source in synchrony. In one example, the two zone players106 and 108 can be paired to play two separate sounds in left and rightchannels, for example. In other words, the stereo effects of a sound canbe reproduced or enhanced through the two zone players 106 and 108, onefor the left sound and the other for the right sound. In anotherexample, two or more zone players can be sonically consolidated to forma single, consolidated zone player. A consolidated zone player (thoughmade up of multiple, separate devices) can be configured to process andreproduce sound differently than an unconsolidated zone player or zoneplayers that are paired, because a consolidated zone player hasadditional speaker drivers from which sound can be passed. Theconsolidated zone player can further be paired with a single zone playeror yet another consolidated zone player. Each playback device of aconsolidated playback device can be set in a consolidated mode, forexample.

In certain embodiments, paired or consolidated zone players (alsoreferred to as “bonded zone players”) can play audio in synchrony withother zone players in the same or different zones.

According to some embodiments, one can continue to do any of: group,consolidate, and pair zone players, for example, until a desiredconfiguration is complete. The actions of grouping, consolidation, andpairing are preferably performed through a control interface, such asusing controller 130, and not by physically connecting and re-connectingspeaker wire, for example, to individual, discrete speakers to createdifferent configurations. As such, certain embodiments described hereinprovide a more flexible and dynamic platform through which soundreproduction can be offered to the end-user.

e. Example Audio Sources

In some embodiments, each zone can play from the same audio source asanother zone or each zone can play from a different audio source. Forexample, someone can be grilling on the patio and listening to jazzmusic via zone player 124, while someone is preparing food in thekitchen and listening to classical music via zone player 102. Further,someone can be in the office listening to the same jazz music via zoneplayer 110 that is playing on the patio via zone player 124. In someembodiments, the jazz music played via zone players 110 and 124 isplayed in synchrony. Synchronizing playback amongst zones allows forsomeone to pass through zones while seamlessly (or substantiallyseamlessly) listening to the audio. Further, zones can be put into a“party mode” such that all associated zones will play audio insynchrony.

Sources of audio content to be played by zone players 102-124 arenumerous. In some embodiments, audio on a zone player itself may beaccessed and played. In some embodiments, audio on a controller may beaccessed via the data network 128 and played. In some embodiments, musicfrom a personal library stored on a computer or networked-attachedstorage (NAS) may be accessed via the data network 128 and played. Insome embodiments, Internet radio stations, shows, and podcasts may beaccessed via the data network 128 and played. Music or cloud servicesthat let a user stream and/or download music and audio content may beaccessed via the data network 128 and played. Further, music may beobtained from traditional sources, such as a turntable or CD player, viaa line-in connection to a zone player, for example. Audio content mayalso be accessed using a different protocol, such as AIRPLAY™, which isa wireless technology by Apple, Inc., for example. Audio contentreceived from one or more sources can be shared amongst the zone players102 to 124 via data network 128 and/or controller 130. Theabove-disclosed sources of audio content are referred to herein asnetwork-based audio information sources. However, network-based audioinformation sources are not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the example home theater zone players 116, 118, 120are coupled to an audio information source such as a television 132. Insome examples, the television 132 is used as a source of audio for thehome theater zone players 116, 118, 120, while in other examples audioinformation from the television 132 may be shared with any of the zoneplayers 102-124 in the audio system 100.

III. Example Zone Players

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an example block diagram of azone player 400 in accordance with an embodiment. Zone player 400includes a network interface 402, a processor 408, a memory 410, anaudio processing component 412, one or more modules 414, an audioamplifier 416, and a speaker unit 418 coupled to the audio amplifier416. FIG. 2A shows an example illustration of such a zone player. Othertypes of zone players may not include the speaker unit 418 (e.g., suchas shown in FIG. 2B) or the audio amplifier 416 (e.g., such as shown inFIG. 2C). Further, it is contemplated that the zone player 400 can beintegrated into another component. For example, the zone player 400could be constructed as part of a television, lighting, or some otherdevice for indoor or outdoor use.

In some embodiments, network interface 402 facilitates a data flowbetween zone player 400 and other devices on a data network 128. In someembodiments, in addition to getting audio from another zone player ordevice on data network 128, zone player 400 may access audio directlyfrom the audio source, such as over a wide area network or on the localnetwork. In some embodiments, the network interface 402 can furtherhandle the address part of each packet so that it gets to the rightdestination or intercepts packets destined for the zone player 400.Accordingly, in certain embodiments, each of the packets includes anInternet Protocol (IP)-based source address as well as an IP-baseddestination address.

In some embodiments, network interface 402 can include one or both of awireless interface 404 and a wired interface 406. The wireless interface404, also referred to as a radio frequency (RF) interface, providesnetwork interface functions for the zone player 400 to wirelesslycommunicate with other devices (e.g., other zone player(s), speaker(s),receiver(s), component(s) associated with the data network 128, and soon) in accordance with a communication protocol (e.g., any wirelessstandard including IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.15, 4Gmobile communication standard, and so on). Wireless interface 404 mayinclude one or more radios. To receive wireless signals and to providethe wireless signals to the wireless interface 404 and to transmitwireless signals, the zone player 400 includes one or more antennas 420.The wired interface 406 provides network interface functions for thezone player 400 to communicate over a wire with other devices inaccordance with a communication protocol (e.g., IEEE 802.3). In someembodiments, a zone player includes multiple wireless 404 interfaces. Insome embodiments, a zone player includes multiple wired 406 interfaces.In some embodiments, a zone player includes both of the interfaces 404and 406. In some embodiments, a zone player 400 includes only thewireless interface 404 or the wired interface 406.

In some embodiments, the processor 408 is a clock-driven electronicdevice that is configured to process input data according toinstructions stored in memory 410. The memory 410 is data storage thatcan be loaded with one or more software module(s) 414, which can beexecuted by the processor 408 to achieve certain tasks. In theillustrated embodiment, the memory 410 is a tangible machine-readablestorage medium storing instructions that can be executed by theprocessor 408. In some embodiments, a task might be for the zone player400 to retrieve audio data from another zone player or a device on anetwork (e.g., using a uniform resource locator (URL) or some otheridentifier). In some embodiments, a task may be for the zone player 400to send audio data to another zone player or device on a network. Insome embodiments, a task may be for the zone player 400 to synchronizeplayback of audio with one or more additional zone players. In someembodiments, a task may be to pair the zone player 400 with one or morezone players to create a multi-channel audio environment. Additional oralternative tasks can be achieved via the one or more software module(s)414 and the processor 408.

The audio processing component 412 can include one or moredigital-to-analog converters (DAC), an audio preprocessing component, anaudio enhancement component or a digital signal processor, and so on. Insome embodiments, the audio processing component 412 may be part ofprocessor 408. In some embodiments, the audio that is retrieved via thenetwork interface 402 is processed and/or intentionally altered by theaudio processing component 412. Further, the audio processing component412 can produce analog audio signals. The processed analog audio signalsare then provided to the audio amplifier 416 for playback throughspeakers 418. In addition, the audio processing component 412 caninclude circuitry to process analog or digital signals as inputs to playfrom zone player 400, send to another zone player on a network, or bothplay and send to another zone player on the network. An example inputincludes a line-in connection (e.g., an auto-detecting 3.5 mm audioline-in connection).

The audio amplifier 416 is a device(s) that amplifies audio signals to alevel for driving one or more speakers 418. The one or more speakers 418can include an individual transducer (e.g., a “driver”) or a completespeaker system that includes an enclosure including one or more drivers.A particular driver can be a subwoofer (e.g., for low frequencies), amid-range driver (e.g., for middle frequencies), and a tweeter (e.g.,for high frequencies), for example. An enclosure can be sealed orported, for example. Each transducer may be driven by its own individualamplifier.

In some embodiments, the zone player may include a control interface,such as the control interfaces 212, 216 of zone players 202 (FIG. 2B),204 (FIG. 2C), respectfully. In the illustrated embodiment, one or moreinput devices are connected to a control interface 422. The controlinterface 422 can be implemented by, for example, an audio sensor, amicrophone and/or a button.

In some embodiments, the zone player 400 includes an output interface424 to output status information. The output interface 424 can beimplemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a light emittingdiode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) and/or a touch screen. In some embodiments, the controlinterface 422 and the output interface 424 may be combined into a singleinterface. For example, the control interface 422 may be implemented byone or more soft buttons via a touch screen interface 424.

In some embodiments, the zone player 400 includes a playback contentselector 426. In some embodiments, the playback content selector 426 maybe part of the processor 408 and/or a software module loaded in thememory 410. The playback content selector 426 determines what content toplayback when the zone player 400 is in a playback mode. For example, auser may pause and then resume playback of the zone player 400 via thecontrol interface 422. However, in some instances, the previously playedcontent may not be available for playback. For example, a streamingcontent server may not respond or a music library may be inaccessible.Thus, in some such instances, the playback content selector 426 selectsalternate content for playback without additional user input.

In some embodiments, the playback content selector 426 selects contentsimilar to the last content played by the zone player 400. For example,the playback content selector 426 may monitor what content has playedand generate a queue (e.g., a playback queue) including content withsimilar attributes (e.g., one or a combination of artist, genre, tempo,mood, etc.). In some embodiments, the playback content selector 426 maymonitor and update a list of similar content based on content that hasplayed over a selected period (e.g., the last hour).

In some embodiments, the playback content selector 426 may selectcontent designated “favorites.” For example, the favorites content mayinclude a user configured playlist and/or a most-listened-to playlist orstreaming content (e.g., an Internet radio station). In some examples,the favorites content may vary based on the time of day or day of theweek. For example, the favorites content during the morning hours when auser is waking up may be different than the favorites content during theevening hours while the user is eating dinner.

In some embodiments, the playback content selector 426 may selectcontent from a playback queue that was previously associated with thezone player 400 and/or a zone group. In some embodiments, the playbackcontent selector 426 may select content from a different zone playerand/or zone group in the household. For example, the playback contentselector 426 of the zone player 110 may request a queue from the zoneplayer 102. In some embodiments, the playback content selector 426 maydetermine alternate content is not “playable” at that moment. In somesuch embodiments, the playback content selector 426 indicates content is“unplayable,” for example, via the output interface 424.

A commercial example, presently known as the PLAY:5™, is a zone playerwith a built-in amplifier and speakers that is capable of retrievingaudio directly from the source, such as on the Internet or on the localnetwork, for example. In particular, the PLAY:5™ is a five-amp,five-driver speaker system that includes two tweeters, two mid-rangedrivers, and one woofer. When playing audio content via the PLAY:5, theleft audio data of a track is sent out of the left tweeter and leftmid-range driver, the right audio data of a track is sent out of theright tweeter and the right mid-range driver, and mono bass is sent outof the subwoofer. Further, both mid-range drivers and both tweeters havethe same equalization (or substantially the same equalization). That is,they are both sent the same frequencies but from different channels ofaudio. Audio from Internet radio stations, online music and videoservices, downloaded music, analog audio inputs, television, DVD, and soon, can be played from the PLAY:5™.

IV. Example Controller

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an example block diagram forcontroller 500, which can correspond to the controlling device 130 inFIG. 1. Controller 500 can be used to facilitate the control ofmulti-media applications, automation and others in a system. Inparticular, the controller 500 may be configured to facilitate aselection of a plurality of audio sources available on the network andenable control of one or more zone players (e.g., the zone players102-124 in FIG. 1) through a wireless or wired network interface 508.According to one embodiment, the wireless communications is based on anindustry standard (e.g., infrared, radio, wireless standards includingIEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.15, 4G mobile communicationstandard, and so on). Further, when a particular audio is being accessedvia the controller 500 or being played via a zone player, a picture(e.g., album art) or any other data, associated with the audio and/oraudio source can be transmitted from a zone player or other electronicdevice to controller 500 for display.

Controller 500 is provided with a screen 502 and an input interface 514that allows a user to interact with the controller 500, for example, tonavigate a playlist of many multimedia items and to control operationsof one or more zone players. The screen 502 on the controller 500 can bean LCD screen, for example. The screen 500 communicates with and iscommanded by a screen driver 504 that is controlled by a microcontroller(e.g., a processor) 506. The memory 510 can be loaded with one or moreapplication modules 512 that can be executed by the microcontroller 506with or without a user input via the user interface 514 to achievecertain tasks. In some embodiments, an application module 512 isconfigured to facilitate grouping a number of selected zone players intoa zone group and synchronizing the zone players for audio playback. Insome embodiments, an application module 512 is configured to control theaudio sounds (e.g., volume) of the zone players in a zone group. Inoperation, when the microcontroller 506 executes one or more of theapplication modules 512, the screen driver 504 generates control signalsto drive the screen 502 to display an application specific userinterface accordingly.

The controller 500 includes a network interface 508 that facilitateswired or wireless communication with a zone player. In some embodiments,the commands such as volume control and audio playback synchronizationare sent via the network interface 508. In some embodiments, a savedzone group configuration is transmitted between a zone player and acontroller via the network interface 508. The controller 500 can controlone or more zone players, such as 102-124 of FIG. 1. There can be morethan one controller for a particular system, and each controller mayshare common information with another controller, or retrieve the commoninformation from a zone player, if such a zone player storesconfiguration data (e.g., such as a state variable). Further, acontroller can be integrated into a zone player.

It should be noted that other network-enabled devices such as an IPHONE™IPAD™ or any other smart phone or network-enabled device (e.g., anetworked computer such as a PC or MAC™) can also be used as acontroller to interact or control zone players in a particularenvironment. In some embodiments, a software application or upgrade canbe downloaded onto a network-enabled device to perform the functionsdescribed herein.

In certain embodiments, a user can create a zone group (also referred toas a bonded zone) including at least two zone players from thecontroller 500. The zone players in the zone group can play audio in asynchronized fashion, such that all of the zone players in the zonegroup playback an identical audio source or a list of identical audiosources in a synchronized manner such that no (or substantially no)audible delays or hiccups are to be heard. Similarly, in someembodiments, when a user increases the audio volume of the group fromthe controller 500, the signals or data of increasing the audio volumefor the group are sent to one of the zone players and causes other zoneplayers in the group to be increased together in volume.

A user via the controller 500 can group zone players into a zone groupby activating a “Link Zones” or “Add Zone” soft button, or de-grouping azone group by activating an “Unlink Zones” or “Drop Zone” button. Forexample, one mechanism for ‘joining’ zone players together for audioplayback is to link a number of zone players together to form a group.To link a number of zone players together, a user can manually link eachzone player or room one after the other. For example, assume that thereis a multi-zone system that includes the following zones: Bathroom,Bedroom, Den, Dining Room, Family Room, and Foyer.

In certain embodiments, a user can link any number of the six zones, forexample, by starting with a single zone and then manually linking eachzone to that zone.

In certain embodiments, a set of zones can be dynamically linkedtogether using a command to create a zone scene or theme (subsequent tofirst creating the zone scene). For instance, a “Morning” zone scenecommand can link the Bedroom, Office, and Kitchen zones together in oneaction. Without this single command, the user would manually andindividually link each zone. The single command may include a mouseclick, a double mouse click, a button press, a gesture, or some otherprogrammed or learned action. Other kinds of zone scenes can beprogrammed or learned by the system over time.

In certain embodiments, a zone scene can be triggered based on time(e.g., an alarm clock function). For instance, a zone scene can be setto apply at 8:00 am. The system can link appropriate zonesautomatically, set specific music to play, and then stop the music aftera defined duration. Although any particular zone can be triggered to an“On” or “Off” state based on time, for example, a zone scene enables anyzone(s) linked to the scene to play a predefined audio (e.g., afavorable song, a predefined playlist) at a specific time and/or for aspecific duration. If, for any reason, the scheduled music failed to beplayed (e.g., an empty playlist, no connection to a share, failedUniversal Plug and Play (UPnP), no Internet connection for an InternetRadio station, and so on), a backup buzzer can be programmed to sound.The buzzer can include a sound file that is stored in a zone player, forexample.

V. Playback Queue

As discussed above, in some embodiments, a zone player may be assignedto or otherwise associated with a playback queue identifying zero ormore media items for playback by the zone player. The media itemsidentified in a playback queue may be represented to the user via aninterface on a controller. For instance, the representation may show theuser (or users if more than one controller is connected to the system)how the zone player is traversing the playback queue, such as byhighlighting the “now playing” item, graying out the previously playeditem(s), highlighting the to-be-played item(s), and so on.

In some embodiments, a single zone player is assigned to a playbackqueue. For example, zone player 114 in the bathroom of FIG. 1 may belinked or assigned to a “Bathroom” playback queue. In an embodiment, the“Bathroom” playback queue might have been established by the system as aresult of the user naming the zone player 114 to the bathroom. As such,contents populated and identified in the “Bathroom” playback queue canbe played via the zone player 114 (the bathroom zone).

In some embodiments, a zone or zone group is assigned to a playbackqueue. For example, zone players 106 and 108 in the family room of FIG.1 may be linked or assigned to a “Family room” playback queue. Inanother example, if family room and dining room zones were grouped, thenthe new group would be linked or assigned to a “family room+dining room”playback queue. In some embodiments, the “family room+dining room”playback queue would be established based upon the creation of thegroup. In some embodiments, upon establishment of the new group, the“family room+dining room” playback queue can automatically include thecontents of one (or both) of the playback queues associated with eitherthe family room or dining room or both. In one instance, if the userstarted with the family room and added the dining room, then thecontents of the “family room” playback queue would become the contentsof the “family room+dining room” playback queue. In another instance, ifthe user started with the family room and added the dining room, thenthe “family room” playback queue would be renamed to the “familyroom+dining room” playback queue. If the new group was “ungrouped,” thenthe “family room+dining room” playback queue may be removed from thesystem and/or renamed to one of the zones (e.g., renamed to “familyroom” or “dining room”). After ungrouping, each of the family room andthe dining room will be assigned to a separate playback queue. One ormore of the zone players in the zone or zone group may store in memorythe associated playback queue.

As such, when zones or zone groups are “grouped” or “ungrouped”dynamically by the user via a controller, the system will, in someembodiments, establish or remove/rename playback queues respectively, aseach zone or zone group is to be assigned to a playback queue. In otherwords, the playback queue operates as a container that can be populatedwith media items for playback by the assigned zone. In some embodiments,the media items identified in a playback queue can be manipulated (e.g.,re-arranged, added to, deleted from, and so on).

By way of illustration, FIG. 6 shows an example network 600 for mediacontent playback. As shown, the example network 600 includes examplezone players 612, 614, example audio sources 662, 664, and example mediaitems 620. The example media items 620 may include playlist 622, musictrack 624, favorite Internet radio station 626, playlists 628 and 630,and album 632. In one embodiment, the zone players 612, 614 may be anyof the zone players shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. For instance, zoneplayers 612, 614 may be the zone players 106, 108 in the Family Room.

In one example, the example audio sources 662, 664, and example mediaitems 620 may be partially stored on a cloud network, discussed morebelow in connection to FIG. 8. In some cases, the portions of the audiosources 662, 664, and example media items 620 may be stored locally onone or both of the zone players 612, 614. In one embodiment, playlist622, favorite Internet radio station 626, and playlist 630 may be storedlocally, and music track 624, playlist 628, and album 632 may be storedon the cloud network.

Each of the example media items 620 may be a list of media itemsplayable by a zone player(s). In one embodiment, the example media itemsmay be a collection of links or pointers (e.g., URI) to the underlyingdata for media items that are stored elsewhere, such as the audiosources 662, 664. In another embodiment, the media items may includepointers to media content stored on the local zone player, another zoneplayer over a local network, or a controller device connected to thelocal network.

As shown, the example network 600 may also include an example queue 602associated with the zone player 612, and an example queue 604 associatedwith the zone player 614. Queue 606 may be associated with a group, whenin existence, comprising zone players 612, 614. Queue 606 might comprisea new queue or exist as a renamed version of queue 602 or 604. In someembodiments, in a group, the zone players 612, 614 would be assigned toqueue 606 and queues 602, 604 would not be available at that time. Insome embodiments, when the group is no longer in existence, queue 606 isno longer available. Each zone player and each combination of zoneplayers in a network of zone players, such as those shown in FIG. 1 orthat of example zone players 612, 614, and example combination 616, maybe uniquely assigned to a corresponding playback queue.

A playback queue, such as playback queues 602, 604, 606, may includeidentification of media content to be played by the corresponding zoneplayer or combination of zone players. As such, media items added to theplayback queue are to be played by the corresponding zone player orcombination of zone players. The zone player may be configured to playitems in the queue according to a specific order (such as an order inwhich the items were added), in a random order, or in some other order.

The playback queue may include a combination of playlists and othermedia items added to the queue. In one embodiment, the items in playbackqueue 602 to be played by the zone player 612 may include items from theaudio sources 662, 664, or any of the media items 622-632. The playbackqueue 602 may also include items stored locally on the zone player 612,or items accessible from the zone player 614. For instance, the playbackqueue 602 may include Internet radio 626 and album 632 items from audiosource 662, and items stored on the zone player 612.

When a media item is added to the queue via an interface of acontroller, a link to the item may be added to the queue. In a case ofadding a playlist to the queue, links to the media items in the playlistmay be provided to the queue. For example, the playback queue 602 mayinclude pointers from the Internet radio 626 and album 632, pointers toitems on the audio source 662, and pointers to items on the zone player612. In another case, a link to the playlist, for example, rather than alink to the media items in the playlist may be provided to the queue,and the zone player or combination of zone players may play the mediaitems in the playlist by accessing the media items via the playlist. Forexample, the album 632 may include pointers to items stored on audiosource 662. Rather than adding links to the items on audio source 662, alink to the album 632 may be added to the playback queue 602, such thatthe zone player 612 may play the items on the audio source 662 byaccessing the items via pointers in the playlist 632.

In some cases, contents as they exist at a point in time within aplayback queue may be stored as a playlist, and subsequently added tothe same queue later or added to another queue. For example, contents ofthe playback queue 602, at a particular point in time, may be saved as aplaylist, stored locally on the zone player 612 and/or on the cloudnetwork. The saved playlist may then be added to playback queue 604 tobe played by zone player 614.

VI. Example Ad-Hoc Network

Particular examples are now provided in connection with FIG. 7 todescribe, for purposes of illustration, certain embodiments to provideand facilitate connection to a playback network. FIG. 7 shows that thereare three zone players 702, 704, 706 and a controller 708 that form anetwork branch that is also referred to as an Ad-Hoc network 710. Thenetwork 710 may be wireless, wired, or a combination of wired andwireless technologies. In general, an Ad-Hoc (or “spontaneous”) networkis a local area network or other small network in which there isgenerally no one access point for all traffic. With an establishedAd-Hoc network 710, the devices 702, 704, 706, 708 can all communicatewith each other in a “peer-to-peer” style of communication, for example.Furthermore, devices may join and/or leave from the network 710, and thenetwork 710 will automatically reconfigure itself without needing theuser to reconfigure the network 710. While an Ad-Hoc network isreferenced in FIG. 7, it is understood that a playback network may bebased on a type of network that is completely or partially differentfrom an Ad-Hoc network.

Using the Ad-Hoc network 710, the devices 702, 704, 706, 708 can shareor exchange one or more audio sources and be dynamically grouped (orungrouped) to play the same or different audio sources. For example, thedevices 702, 704 are grouped to playback one piece of music, and at thesame time, the device 706 plays back another piece of music. In otherwords, the devices 702, 704, 706, 708, as shown in FIG. 7, form aHOUSEHOLD that distributes audio and/or reproduces sound. As usedherein, the term HOUSEHOLD (provided in uppercase letters todisambiguate from the user's domicile) is used to represent a collectionof networked devices that are cooperating to provide an application orservice. An instance of a HOUSEHOLD is identified with a household 710(or household identifier), though a HOUSEHOLD may be identified with adifferent area or place.

In certain embodiments, a household identifier (HHID) is a short stringor an identifier that is computer-generated to help ensure that it isunique. Accordingly, the network 710 can be characterized by a uniqueHHID and a unique set of configuration variables or parameters, such aschannels (e.g., respective frequency bands), service set identifier(SSID) (a sequence of alphanumeric characters as a name of a wirelessnetwork), and WEP keys (wired equivalent privacy) or other securitykeys. In certain embodiments, SSID is set to be the same as HHID.

In certain embodiments, each HOUSEHOLD includes two types of networknodes: a control point (CP) and a zone player (ZP). The control pointcontrols an overall network setup process and sequencing, including anautomatic generation of required network parameters (e.g., securitykeys). In an embodiment, the CP also provides the user with a HOUSEHOLDconfiguration user interface. The CP function can be provided by acomputer running a CP application module, or by a handheld controller(e.g., the controller 708) also running a CP application module, forexample. The zone player is any other device on the network that isplaced to participate in the automatic configuration process. The ZP, asa notation used herein, includes the controller 708 or a computingdevice, for example. In some embodiments, the functionality, or certainparts of the functionality, in both the CP and the ZP are combined at asingle node (e.g., a ZP contains a CP or vice-versa).

In certain embodiments, configuration of a HOUSEHOLD involves multipleCPs and ZPs that rendezvous and establish a known configuration suchthat they can use a standard networking protocol (e.g., IP over Wired orWireless Ethernet) for communication. In an embodiment, two types ofnetworks/protocols are employed: Ethernet 802.3 and Wireless 802.11g.Interconnections between a CP and a ZP can use either of thenetworks/protocols. A device in the system as a member of a HOUSEHOLDcan connect to both networks simultaneously.

In an environment that has both networks in use, it is assumed that atleast one device in a system is connected to both as a bridging device,thus providing bridging services between wired/wireless networks forothers. The zone player 706 in FIG. 7 is shown to be connected to bothnetworks, for example. The connectivity to the network 712 is based onEthernet and/or Wireless, while the connectivity to other devices 702,704, 708 is based on Wireless and Ethernet if so desired.

It is understood, however, that in some embodiments each zone player706, 704, 702 may access the Internet when retrieving media from thecloud (e.g., the Internet) via the bridging device. For example, zoneplayer 702 may contain a uniform resource locator (URL) that specifiesan address to a particular audio track in the cloud. Using the URL, thezone player 702 may retrieve the audio track from the cloud, andultimately play the audio out of one or more zone players.

VII. Another Example System Configuration

FIG. 8 shows a system 800 including a plurality of interconnectednetworks including a cloud-based network and at least one local playbacknetwork. A local playback network includes a plurality of playbackdevices or players, though it is understood that the playback networkmay contain only one playback device. In certain embodiments, eachplayer has an ability to retrieve its content for playback. Control andcontent retrieval can be distributed or centralized, for example. Inputcan include streaming content provider input, third party applicationinput, mobile device input, user input, and/or other playback networkinput into the cloud for local distribution and playback.

As illustrated by the example system 800 of FIG. 8, a plurality ofcontent providers 820-850 can be connected to one or more local playbacknetworks 860-870 via a cloud and/or other network 810. Using the cloud810, a multimedia audio system server 820 (e.g., Sonos™), a mobiledevice 830, a third party application 840, a content provider 850 and soon can provide multimedia content (requested or otherwise) to localplayback networks 860, 870. Within each local playback network 860, 870,a controller 862, 872 and a playback device 864, 874 can be used toplayback audio content.

VIII. Example User Interface

FIG. 9 shows an example user interface 900 according to an embodiment.The user interface 900 includes a control interface (e.g., the controlinterface 422 of FIG. 4) including input controls 902, 904, 906, 908,910 and an output interface (e.g., the output interface 424 of FIG. 4)including one or more light emitting diode(s) 912. In the illustratedexample, input controls 902, 904, 906, 908, 910 are buttons (e.g., hardbuttons) included with the zone player. In some examples, the userinterface 900 may be implemented via a touch screen interface (e.g., anLCD interface of a zone player and/or a controller). For example, theinput controls 902, 904, 906, 908, 910 may be implemented as “soft”buttons that are displayed via the touch screen interface. Although theillustrated example includes button input controls, other types ofcontrol interface controls may additionally (or alternatively) beincluded. For example, the user interface 900 may include a microphoneto receive audio commands (e.g., “play,” “pause,” “stop,” “volume up,”“volume down,” “mute,” etc.) from a user. In some examples, the userinterface 900 may include fewer or other control interface controls.

The input control 902 increases the volume of the zone player duringcontent playback. In some examples, the input control 902 may be used toincrease the volume of a zone group during content playback. The inputcontrol 904 decreases the volume of the zone player during contentplayback. In some examples, the input control 904 may be used todecrease the volume of a zone group during content playback. The inputcontrol 906 may be used to mute or unmute the zone player or zone groupduring content playback.

In some examples, an input control may perform multiple functions. Forexample, a user may hold the input control 904 to mute content playback.In some other examples, a user may use the input control 902 to unmutecontent playback. In some other examples, selecting the user input 902while the volume level is set to zero may cause the volume level to anaudible level rather than incrementally. For example, selecting the userinput 902 three times while the volume level is set to zero may causethe volume level to jump to a volume level of ten. In contrast,selecting the user input 902 three times while the volume level is setto four may cause the volume to increment to a volume level of seven.

The input control 908 (e.g., a play/pause control) enables contentplayback when the zone player or zone group is not playing content. Inaddition, the play/pause control 908 enables pausing content playbackwhen the zone player is playing content (e.g., in a content playbackmode). When the play/pause control 908 is selected while contentplayback is paused, content playback resumes playback of the last playedcontent. For example, selecting the play/pause control 908 may resumecontent playback in the middle of a song. In some examples, the playbacktask and the pause task are implemented via two different inputcontrols.

The input control 910 enables stopping of content playback. In someexamples, when the play/pause control 908 is selected while contentplayback is stopped, content playback resumes playback at the beginningof the last played content. That is, selecting play/pause control 908after selecting input control 910 restarts a song rather than resumingplayback in the middle of the song. In some examples, the stop task ofthe input control 910 may be included (or combined) with the play/pausecontrol 908. For example, a user may pause content playback by selectingthe play/pause control 908 or stop content playback via a hold of theplay/pause control 908.

The user interface 900 outputs information via the output interface 912.In the illustrated example, the output interface 912 includes three LEDsthat may indicate the state of the zone player (e.g., ON or OFF), aplayback mode (e.g., content playback, content playback paused orcontent playback stopped), network connection states (e.g., accessingInternet content), etc. In the illustrated example of FIG. 9, the LEDs912 flash to indicate playback content is “unplayable.” In someexamples, the user interface 900 may include one or more other outputinterfaces such as a touch screen interface or an LCD interface todisplay additional information (e.g., artist name, current playbackcontent title, etc.).

IX. Example Methods to Provide Play/Pause Content

FIG. 10 shows an illustrative flowchart of an example method 1000 todetermine playback content when a user selects play/pause using acontrol interface (e.g., the example input controls 908, 910 of FIG. 9).The example method 1000 of FIG. 10 begins at block 1002 when aplay/pause command is received at a zone player. For example, the usermay select the play/pause command 908 of the user interface 900 of FIG.9 (e.g., a user interface of a zone player, a controller, etc.). Atblock 1004, a determination is made regarding whether the zone player isin content playback mode. For example, the playback content selector 426of FIG. 4 may obtain a state variable indicating the playback mode ofone or more zone players. If, at block 1004, the zone player iscurrently operating in the content playback mode, then, at block 1006,the playback content selector 426 pauses content playback. Control thenreturns to block 1002 to wait for another play/pause command.

Otherwise, if, at block 1004, the zone player is not operating in thecontent playback mode, then, at block 1008, a determination is made asto whether content is available for playback. The content may be from aplayback queue, as described above. In some examples, when contentplayback is stopped or paused, the zone player stores playback stateinformation (e.g., what content is to be played when the zone playerresumes operating in the content playback mode, content playbackinformation, etc.), for example, in a state variable. Thus, the playbackcontent selector 426 may obtain the content playback information fromthe state variable and determine whether the position in the playbackqueue is available for playback. If, at block 1008, the content isavailable for playback, then, at block 1010, the zone player resumesoperating in the content playback mode by playing the content. If thecontent was previously playing before the content playback mode wasstopped or paused, the content playback resumes at the previously playedposition. Control then returns to block 1002 to wait for anotherplay/pause command.

However, in some examples, the content playback information maycorrespond to content unavailable for playback (e.g., “unplayable”). Forexample, the playback queue may include content that is no longeraccessible. For example, a content server may not respond to requestsfor streaming content, audio data corresponding to the content forplayback is not retrievable (e.g., the content is no longer availablefor streaming (e.g., digital streaming rights for content may change),the format of the content may not be playable by the zone player, etc.),or a line-in content source may not be connected to the zone player. Insome other examples, the playback content in a playback queue may nolonger be available for playback (e.g., a music library is inaccessible)or the playback queue may be empty. For example, the playback queue maybe cleared (or emptied). If, at block 1008, the content playbackinformation corresponds to content that is unplayable and/orunavailable, then, at block 1012, the playback content selector 426determines whether the content playback information is associated with aplayback queue.

If, at block 1012, the content playback information is not associatedwith a playback queue, then, at block 1014, the playback contentselector 426 determines whether alternate playback content is availablefor playback by the zone player. For example, the playback contentselector 426 may determine whether alternate playback contentcorresponding to the content playback information is available forplayback as described below in connection with FIG. 11. If, at block1014, alternate content is not available for playback, then, at block1016, an indication that no playback content is available for playbackis provided. For example, the LED interface 912 of the user interface900 (FIG. 9) may flash to indicate no playback content is available forplayback. In some examples, the zone player may output an auditoryindication that playable content is unavailable. For example, the zoneplayer may output a tone, a sound, a chime, etc. Additional methods ofindicating playback content is unavailable and/or unplayable may also beused. Control then returns to block 1002 to wait for another play/pausecommand. In contrast, if, at block 1014, alternate content is availablefor playback, then, at block 1018, the zone player plays the alternateplayback content. That is, the playback content selector 426automatically places information identifying alternate content in aplayback queue, which enables playback of the alternate content. Controlthen returns to block 1002 to wait for another play/pause command.

Returning to block 1012, if the content playback information isassociated with a playback queue, then, at block 1020, a determinationis made whether the content playback information corresponds to the endof the playback queue. For example, the content playback information maycorrespond to the last item in the playback queue, the playback queuemay be empty, etc. If the playback queue is not at the end (e.g., thelast item in the queue is being or has been played), then controlproceeds to block 1014 to determine alternate playback content forplayback.

Otherwise, if, at block 1020, the zone player has reached the end of theplayback queue, then, at block 1022, a determination is made as towhether a repeat function has been selected. For example, a user may setthe playback queue to repeat when the end of the playback queue isreached. If the repeat function is not selected or the playback queue isempty, then control proceeds to block 1014 to determine alternatecontent for playback. However, if, at block 1022, the repeat function isselected and the playback queue includes at least one playable item,then, at block 1024, playback of the playback queue repeats. Controlthen returns to block 1002 to wait for another play/pause command.

FIG. 11 shows an illustrative flowchart of an example method 1100 forselecting alternate playback content for playback (e.g., identifying andplacing information identifying alternate playback content for playbackin a playback queue). The example method 1100 may be used to implementblock 1014 of FIG. 10. The example method 1100 begins at block 1102 whena request to determine alternate playback content for playback isreceived. At block 1104, a determination is made whether similar or“like” content is available for playback and playable. Like content maybe similar to the last content played by the zone player prior to thecontent becoming unavailable for playback. Methods, apparatus andsystems for determining and refining like content are described in, forexample, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/536,154, by Riemann,entitled “Shift to Corresponding Media in a Playback Queue,” which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

In some examples, the playback content selector 426 (FIG. 4) may provideinformation identifying the like content to a third party source (e.g.,a media server) to facilitate playback of alternate playback content.For example, the playback content selector 426 may determine that thelike content includes a particular music genre (e.g., reggae music). Asa result, the playback content selector 426 may provide (e.g.,automatically provide) reggae music identifying information to astreaming service, such as PANDORA®, which is operated by Pandora Music,Inc., to “seed” an Internet radio station. However, the playback contentselector 426 may utilize other content recommendation services as well.In some examples, the content recommendation service may return amessage indicating similar or like playback content is unavailable forplayback and/or unplayable (e.g., available but in a wrong format,etc.).

If, at block 1104, the playback content selector 426 determines similaror like content is available for playback and playable, then, at block1106, the zone player resumes content playback with the similar playbackcontent. Control then returns to a calling function or process such asthe example program 1000 of FIG. 10, and the example process of FIG. 11ends.

Otherwise, if, at block 1104, the playback content selector 426determines similar or like playback content is unavailable for playbackand/or unplayable, then, at block 1108, the playback content selector426 determines whether “favorites” content is available for playback andplayable. Favorites may include a playlist or streaming content that iseither configured by the user or determined based on other playbackcontent selected by, for example, the user. In some examples, a defaultplaylist of favorites content may be available for the playback contentselector 426 to select. In some examples, the playback content selector426 may determine favorites content based on the time of day (e.g.,morning, afternoon, evening), day of week (e.g., weekend or weekday),zone of playback (e.g., bedroom, kitchen, patio, etc.), etc. In someexamples, the playback content selector 426 may determine favoritescontent based on the frequency a playlist of streaming content (e.g., aradio station) is accessed or selected for playback by the user.

If, at block 1108, the playback content selector 426 determinesfavorites content is available for playback and playable, then, at block1110, the zone player resumes content playback with the favoritescontent. Control then returns to a calling function or process such asthe example program 1000 of FIG. 10 and the example process of FIG. 11ends.

Otherwise, if, at block 1108, the playback content selector 426determines favorites content is unavailable for playback and/orunplayable, then, at block 1112, the playback content selector 426determines whether content from a playback queue associated with thezone player (or zone group) is available for playback and playable. Forexample, the playback content selector 426 may identify a previouslyplayed playback queue or a next-to-be played playback queue thatincludes playback content available for playback. If, at block 1112, theplayback content selector 426 determines content from at least onepreviously associated playback queue is available for playback andplayable, then, at block 1114, the zone player resumes content playbackwith content from the playback queue associated with the zone player (orzone group). Control then returns to a calling function or process suchas the example program 1000 of FIG. 10 and the example process of FIG.11 ends.

Otherwise, if, at block 1112, the playback content selector 426determines content from a playback queue associated with the zone player(or zone group) is unavailable for playback and/or unplayable by thezone player, then, at block 1116, the playback content selector 426determines whether content (e.g., a playback queue) from another zoneplayer (or zone group) included on the network is available forplayback. For example, the zone player 110 playback content selector 426may request content for playback from a zone player (or zone group)included on the network (e.g., the zone player 112). If, at block 1116,the playback content selector 426 determines content from another zoneplayer (or zone group) is available for playback and playable, then, atblock 1118, the zone player resumes content playback with the contentfrom another zone player (or zone group) included on the network.Control then returns to a calling function or process such as theexample program 1000 of FIG. 10 and the example process of FIG. 11 ends.

In contrast, if, at block 1116, the playback content selector 426determines content from another zone player (or zone group) isunavailable for playback and/or unplayable, then, at block 1120, theplayback content selector 426 indicates content is unplayable (e.g.,unavailable for playback by the zone player, available but in a wrongformat, etc.). For example, the playback content selector 426 may causeLEDs (e.g., the output interface 912 of the user interface 900 of FIG.9) to flash. Control then returns to a calling function or process suchas the example program 1000 of FIG. 10 and the example process of FIG.11 ends.

In operation, for example, a user, while getting ready in the morning,may listen to a streaming Internet radio station recommended by afriend. The user, enjoying listening to country music for the firsttime, then pauses (e.g., via the play/pause control 908 of the userinterface 900 of the zone player) playback of the radio station whileleaving the house to go to work. Upon returning from work, and whilechanging into workout clothes, the user may select the play/pausecontrol 908 of the zone player to resume playback of the streamingInternet radio station. As a result, the content playback selector ofthe zone player may obtain content playback information to resumeplayback of the Internet radio station. The playback content selectormay send a request message to the Internet radio station requestingplayback content to playback based on the content playback information.In response to a message requesting playback content from the Internetradio station, the playback content selector receives a content“unplayable” message from the Internet radio station. Thus, the playbackcontent selector attempts to identify alternate content to provide tothe user in response to the play/pause command and the content“unplayable” message.

As this is the first time the user is listening to country music, theplayback content selector of the zone player is unable to identifysimilar or “like” music to playback. The playback content selector thenattempts to identify favorites content or an associated queue, eitherfrom the zone player, another zone player on the network, or a zonegroup, to playback. In the illustrated example, the playback contentselector 426 of FIG. 4 obtains a playback queue from another zoneplayer, and resumes content playback with content from the associatedqueue. However, if the playback content selector is unable to identifyalternate content, the playback content selector may cause the zoneplayer to indicate playback content is unavailable for playback at themoment. For example, a series of LEDs included with the zone player mayflash for a period (e.g., two seconds).

IX. Conclusion

The descriptions above disclose various example systems, methods,apparatus, and articles of manufacture including, among othercomponents, firmware and/or software executed on hardware. However, suchexamples are merely illustrative and should not be considered aslimiting. For example, it is contemplated that any or all of thesefirmware, hardware, and/or software components can be embodiedexclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively infirmware, or in any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.Accordingly, while the following describes example systems, methods,apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture, the examples provided are notthe only way(s) to implement such systems, methods, apparatus, and/orarticles of manufacture.

As suggested above, the present application involves enabling contentplayback control via a user interface included with a zone player. Inone aspect, a method is provided. The method includes receiving acommand to play audio from a zone, the zone including one or moreplayback devices, wherein the zone is configured to play items from aplayback queue responsive to the command to play audio. The examplemethod also includes determining that the playback queue includes noplayable items. The example method also includes automatically placinginformation identifying at least one playable item in the playbackqueue. The example method also includes, responsive to the command toplay audio, causing to play the at least one playable item by the zone.

In another aspect, a system is provided. The system includes a zoneincluding one or more playback devices, and a processor configured toexecute instructions. The instructions are executable to cause theprocessor to receive a command to play audio from the zone, wherein thezone is configured to play items from a playback queue in response tothe command to play audio. The instructions to also cause the processorto determine that the playback queue includes no playable items. Theinstructions to also cause the processor to automatically placeinformation identifying at least one playable item in the playbackqueue. The instructions to also cause the processor to, in response tothe command to play audio, cause to play the at least one playable itemby the zone.

In a further aspect, a tangible computer-readable storage medium havinginstructions stored thereon is provided. The instructions are executableby a computing device to cause the computing device to perform functionsincluding receiving a command to play audio from a zone, the zoneincluding one or more playback devices, wherein the zone is configuredto play items from a playback queue in response to the command to playaudio. The instructions are to also cause the computing device toperform functions including determining that the playback queue includesno playable items. The instructions are to also cause the computingdevice to perform functions including automatically placing informationidentifying at least one playable item in the playback queue. Theinstructions are to also cause the computing device to perform functionsincluding, in response to the command to play audio, causing to play theat least one playable item by the zone.

Additionally, references herein to “embodiment” means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment can be included in at least one example embodiment of theinvention. The appearances of this phrase in various places in thespecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment,nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of otherembodiments. As such, the embodiments described herein, explicitly andimplicitly understood by one skilled in the art, can be combined withother embodiments.

The specification is presented largely in terms of illustrativeenvironments, systems, procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, andother symbolic representations that directly or indirectly resemble theoperations of data processing devices coupled to networks. These processdescriptions and representations are typically used by those skilled inthe art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to othersskilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide athorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it isunderstood to those skilled in the art that certain embodiments of thepresent disclosure can be practiced without certain, specific details.In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, andcircuitry have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring aspects of the embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of thepresent disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than theforgoing description of embodiments.

The example processes of FIGS. 10 and/or 11 may be implemented usingcoded instructions (e.g., computer and/or machine readable instructions)stored on a tangible computer readable storage medium such as a harddisk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a compact disk(CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a cache, a random-access memory(RAM) and/or any other storage device or storage disk in whichinformation is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods,permanently, for brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or forcaching of the information). As used herein, the term tangible computerreadable storage medium is expressly defined to include any type ofcomputer readable storage device and/or storage disk and to excludepropagating signals. As used herein, “tangible computer readable storagemedium” and “tangible machine readable storage medium” are usedinterchangeably. Additionally or alternatively, the example processes ofFIGS. 10 and/or 11 may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g.,computer and/or machine readable instructions) stored on anon-transitory computer and/or machine readable medium such as a harddisk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a compact disk, adigital versatile disk, a cache, a random-access memory and/or any otherstorage device or storage disk in which information is stored for anyduration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, for briefinstances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of theinformation). As used herein, the term non-transitory computer readablemedium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readabledevice or disc and to exclude propagating signals. As used herein, whenthe phrase “at least” is used as the transition term in a preamble of aclaim, it is open-ended in the same manner as the term “comprising” isopen ended.

When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely softwareand/or firmware implementation, at least one of the elements in at leastone example is hereby expressly defined to include a tangible storagemedium such as a memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, and so on, storing thesoftware and/or firmware.

1. A system comprising: a playback device configured to play items froma playback queue associated with the playback device; one or moreprocessors; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having storedthereon instructions executable by the one or more processors to performoperations comprising: receiving, via the playback device, a command toresume playback of a previously paused media item; determining that aplayback queue associated with the playback device contains no playablemedia items; after determining that the playback queue associated withthe playback device contains no playable media items, communicating, toa content server, a request to stream a second media item that isrelated to the previously paused media item; in response to receivingthe second media item from the content server, placing the second mediaitem in the playback queue associated with the playback device; andcausing the second media item to be played via the playback device. 2.The system according to claim 1, wherein communicating the request tostream the second media item that is related to the previously pausedmedia item comprises: communicating a request to stream a second mediaitem having a same artist as the previously paused media item.
 3. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein communicating the request to streamthe second media item that is related to the previously paused mediaitem comprises: communicating a request to stream a second media itemhaving a same genre as the previously paused media item.
 4. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the playback device comprises a controlinterface, and wherein receiving the command comprises receiving thecommand via the control interface of the playback device.
 5. The systemaccording to claim 4, wherein the control interface comprises at leastone of a touch sensor, a button, and a microphone.
 6. The systemaccording to claim 4, further comprising: causing the control interfaceto generate a user indication when the second media item is unavailablefrom the content server.
 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein thepreviously paused media item corresponds to a media item previouslyincluded in a playback queue of a zone associated with the playbackdevice.
 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the previouslypaused media item corresponds to a media item provided by a third partymedia service that identifies the media item based on an input from theplayback device.
 9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium havingstored thereon instructions executable by one or more processors toperform operations comprising: receiving, via a playback device incommunication with the one or more processors, a command to resumeplayback of a previously paused media item; determining that a playbackqueue associated with the playback device contains no playable mediaitems; after determining that the playback queue associated with theplayback device contains no playable media items, communicating, to acontent server, a request to stream a second media item that is relatedto the previously paused media item; in response to receiving the secondmedia item from the content server, placing the second media item in theplayback queue associated with the playback device; and causing thesecond media item to be played via the playback device.
 10. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 9, whereincommunicating the request to stream the second media item that isrelated to the previously paused media item comprises: communicating arequest to stream a second media item having a same artist as thepreviously paused media item.
 11. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium according to claim 9, wherein communicating the request to streamthe second media item that is related to the previously paused mediaitem comprises: communicating a request to stream a second media itemhaving a same genre as the previously paused media item.
 12. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 9, whereinthe playback device comprises a control interface, and wherein receivingthe command comprises receiving the command via the control interface ofthe playback device.
 13. The non-transitory computer-readable mediumaccording to claim 12, wherein the control interface comprises at leastone of a touch sensor, a button, and a microphone.
 14. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 12, furthercomprising: causing the control interface to generate a user indicationwhen the second media item is unavailable from the content server.
 15. Amethod comprising: receiving, via a playback device, a command to resumeplayback of a previously paused media item; determining that a playbackqueue associated with the playback device contains no playable mediaitems; after determining that the playback queue associated with theplayback device contains no playable media items, communicating, to acontent server, a request to stream a second media item that is relatedto the previously paused media item; in response to receiving the secondmedia item from the content server, placing the second media item in theplayback queue associated with the playback device; and causing thesecond media item to be played via the playback device.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 15, wherein communicating the request to stream thesecond media item that is related to the previously paused media itemcomprises: communicating a request to stream a second media item havinga same artist as the previously paused media item.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 15, wherein communicating the request to stream thesecond media item that is related to the previously paused media itemcomprises: communicating a request to stream a second media item havinga same genre as the previously paused media item.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 15, wherein the playback device comprises a controlinterface, and wherein receiving the command comprises receiving thecommand via the control interface of the playback device.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 18, wherein the control interface comprises at leastone of a touch sensor, a button, and a microphone.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 18, further comprising: causing the control interfaceto generate a user indication when the second media item is unavailablefrom the content server.